Month: January 2010

Well the great Mexican media empire that is Televisa had not ticked me off in quite a while. On Sunday afternoon they did it again. Javier Alarcon, Head Brown Noser in the sports broadcasting department to Televisa's boss Emilio Escarraga said that the fight for relegation was over and the Indios would be the team that would lose the fight and be relegated. Alarcon said this on his show, La Jugada, Sunday night. Its amazing, with 15 games to go in the season Mr. Alarcon seems to have crystal ball and we are all lucky enough know what it tells him.

The national media has picked the Tribe as the favored to be relegated come late April. This has been well documented across all forms of media. However, Mr. Alarcon took it one step further by making these declarations on his show and made it come across as a closed case. These declarations would be considered extremely unprofessional by someone in his position. However coming from Mr. Alarcon who has kissed ass to get to where he is, betraying highly recognized TV personalities along the way (like Raul Orvananoz) to get ahead in his career…allegedly. This does not surprise me one bit. In my opinion he is an idiot whos view of soccer is as heavily skewed and bias as the interest that his employer holds with regards to Mexican soccer.

In closing Javier Alarcon has been wrong on soccer analysis time and time again, I don't see why this should be any different. I can't wait for the day that another big soccer event comes to the Borderland so that he is present. When this day comes I will make sure that I am introduced to him so I can ask him to clarify a couple of the well documented points that he has been so wrong on. Until next time, VAMOS Indios!!!

Another tie for CF Indios Sunday afternoon against Santos by a score of 0-0 does nothing for the Tribe except bury them a little deeper in last place ofthe relegation table. The Indios outplayed the Santos thoroughly for 90 minutes, once again before a sold out crowd at Benito Juarez Olympic Stadium. If anybody deserved the win it was Indios. They had several more chances to score than did their opponents but the ball just did not want to go in the goal.

After the game Head Coach for the Tribe, Jose Trevino, said that the situation is still the same. The Indios are still winless therefore dominating a team is rather pointless. If anything can be rescued from Sunday's showing is that the Tribe is starting to function as a team and it showed signs of life. The problem is time is of the essence. There is only 15 more games.

The officiating for the game was a bit touchy but it even for both teams. New goalkeeperfor the Indios Christian Martinez was not really challenged for the 90 minutes of the game. Head Coach for Santos Ruben Omar Romano was not available for comments as he did not attend the post game conference due to "limited time constraints regarding their itinerary". Personally I just think that he did not want to face the media after their arrogant behavior at Saturday's press conference, and then being dominated by the Tribe on Sunday.

To make things worse Queretaro keeps winning and has moved up to 15th place in the relegation table. Queretaro was manhandled by Pachuca at home on Saturday night. They literally had one offensive play and they scored. Pachuca must have become tired from missing easy gols all night long.

Next game for the Indios is versus Club America in Mexico City at Azteca Stadium, Sunday at 3 pm. This game will carry extra attention now because of the situation with America's forward Salvador Cabanas who was shot early Monday morning in the head at a bar in South Mexico City. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Until next time, VAMOS Indios!!!

Below: Images from Sunday's Game versus Santos. Mostly people in the stands. Thank you all!!!

With an arrogant attitude toward the local media, five players and the head coach for Santos Laguna (CF Indios´ next opponent) gave a press conference at the Camino Real Hotel in Ciudad Juarez shortly after arriving here in the Borderland on Saturday afternoon. CF Indios will play the Santos today in their home opener at 1pm at Benito Juarez Olympic Stadium. While I have to say that the media relations department for Santos is completely professional to the full extent of the word, the players behavior during this press conference was questionable at best.

The conference opened up with questions for head coach Ruben Omar Romano talking about their season opener against Morelia last week which they won by a score of 3-2. Romano said he was happy despite the team being behind in the score early in the game did not give up, remained calm, and had enough to come back and win. With regard to the game at hand tomorrow against CF Indios Romano called it a "complicated game " against a team that is "respected" by Santos and is not "incapable" in any sense.

The other players present simply backed up what the head coach said in his opening commentary. I asked forward Mathias Vuoso if he had any thoughts on how he would be received tomorrow at the Stadium after he tricked the referee last season that gave Santos a penalty kick and ultimately the victory against Indios. Vuoso simply commented, "…that play is in the past and I had forgot about until right now that you brought it up. When I step on the field it will be up to the fans what they say to me." He went on, "I am just here to do my part to get the victory."

Oswaldo Sanchez, goalkeeper for Santos and the Mexican National Team called the game tomorrow a rivalry game simply for the geographical location that both teams are located. With regard to the possible activities amongst fans in the stands he hopes that things are well controlled. After the press conference, I asked him one more question regarding an alleged rivalry with U.S Forward Landon Donovan. Sanchez cut me off and commented, "There is no rivalry with Landon Donovan, and since I am not currently with the Mexican National Team I don't like to talk about themes regarding the National Squad, I send my best to all the people in El Paso and God Bless You All."

The players were short with not just me but with the entire media. They demeanor during the conference was not positive in any way. I hope they were nicer with the fans in the autograph session that follow the press conference. Lets hope that today at 1 o'clock the Indios hit them and where it hurts sending them back to Torreon with no points to speak of. The will be televised at 1pm on Ateca America (Cable Channel 9, DirecTV and Digital TV Channel 42) and on ESPN Deportes (Cable Channel 627). Tune in!!!!

Until next time, VAMOS Indios!!!

Below: Santos Head Coach Ruben Omar Romano does not look too thrilled to be giving this press conference.

Five days till Sunday and there is already lots of talk about the battle that is going to happen. It's all over the internet, and the topic is gaining popularity. No I am not talking about fight that is going to be happening on the field of play come one o'clock at Benito Juarez Olympic Stadium when Indios plays against Santos from Torreon in their home opener, but the potential brawl that can happen in the stands and outside the stadium amongst fans from both sides. This happened last year when Santos came to visit.

After the game, a group of fans from from both teams went at it in a brawl that was quickly contained by the police. A few people went up on the wagon and got hauled off to jail and the ones that got the short end of the stick were the charter buses that the fans from Torreon came on. Pretty much all of the windows were broken on the buses that they came on, about 5 buses total. To this day I can't imagine how long that 12 hour bus ride back to Torreon must have seemed in the middle of January with all the window's blown out of those buses.

These actions are indicative of the rivalry that this two teams have for one another, one that goes back to the days that both teams were in second division. These two teams have a lot of connections that make this rivalry sensible. First of all geographically speaking these are the two most northern teams in the county. Second, a lot of people from Torreon have moved to Juarez and El Paso. Last but not least both teams are sponsored by grocery store chains that are the two strongest and most competitive in the northern region of Mexico (Santos is sponsored by Soriana and Indios is sponsored by S-Mart). Not to mention the little altercation that happened last year after the game is something that is going to put the "Icing on the Cake" so to speak for Sunday's game.

Trash talking and threats if you will have been posted on internet forums by Santos fans, people are also commenting on Indios forums. According to these forums, Santos's fans want revenge for what happened last year. I hope that the Indios front office takes the time over the course of the week to implement preventive measures to assure that the family environment that is customary at the Indios soccer games is not ruined. Until next time, VAMOS Indios!!!

Below: "El Kartel", one of the better know cheering sections for the Tribe, and the targeted group for revenge according to the Santos' fans forums. This was taken when "El Kartel" arrive at the Sun Bowl for the Indios preseason game one year ago.

CF Indios got off to the worst start imaginable on Saturday evening against the defending champions of Mexican soccer, Rayados de Monterrey by losing to them by a score of 4-0. Even though the fourth gol was the only gol by Monterrey that probably should have been scored as the first three gols were a combination of mental breakdowns and mistakes by members of the Tribe, it makes no difference the Indios lost and in the end that is all that matters.

The first 15 minutes of the game the team from the Borderland seemed to be able to hold its own against the defending champions. They were on the Rayados defensively and were quick to counterattack and get in an offensive mode. When the gols came in the 20th and 38th minute of the game, the world began to come down on Indios. The other 2 gols can be said that they were circumstantial because of the situation that the Indios found themselves in. One thing that I do give Indios Head Coach, Jose Trevino credit for is that he made offensive oriented substitutions. In my opinion he sent out a message, if the Indios were going to lose they were going to go down swinging. Frankly that is a motto I hope that stays throughout the season.

The two players that I was looking forward to seeing, new acquisitions, Arturo Alvarado and Elliot Huitron fell way short of what I expected to see from them. Moreso Juan Carlos Dias Jr. on the attack appeared to not even be on the field of play for the duration of the game as there were little to no opportunities for him to create any offensive threats of scoring. As for the goalie, Humberto Hernandez, he will go straight to the bench. His mistakes in misjudging the ball on two seperate occasions (that resulted in the 2nd and 3rd gols) will allow for newly acquired goalie Christian Martinez to get his first start on the season come Sunday when the Indios have their home opener against Santos Laguana. After all Coach Trevino made the call on acquiring Martinez so he needs to justify his decision by giving him a chance to start. Sunday would be the perfect time.

It was ridiculous the amount of ball possession that was lost by the Tribe throughout the course of the game. Simple passes were intercepted, headers were missed, and bad decisions by the players where made throughout the game. The icing of the cake to this entire mess was that the Indios set another dubious record. The Tribe now holds the record for most games without a victory in Mexican soccer. 18 games. Let's hope that record stops there. Until next time, VAMOS Indios!!!

Below: Daniel "Maleno" Frias trying to do the best he could being mostly alone on the attack for most of the night. He fought to the end and was one of the few pleasant surprises of the game.

In less than 6 hours CF Indios will square off in the season opener against the defending champion of Mexican Soccer, Rayados de Monterrey. This is how it will begin, with the Indios playing the role of the visiting squad in the city that is dubbed the "Great City of the North". 17 games will take place in a little less than 16 weeks, by then it will be known if the Indios survive and continue in Mexico's Premier Soccer Division or fall to the second division. Just a little while ago I received the probable starting lineup for the Tribe and so far I like what I see. Here it is.

Goalkeeper: Humberto Hernandez- I like that fact that he is starting, deservedly so. He was consistent throughout the preseason. I would pick him over newly acquired Christian Martinez and Cesar Lozano.

Defensive Line: Elliot Huitron (Right Defender), Juan De La Barrera (Center Defender), Javier Hernan Malagueno (Center Defender), and Arturo Alvarado (Left Defender)- I'm really excited to see Huitron, Alvarado, and Malagueno on the field of play. Huitron and Alvarado are new acquisitions for the Tribe, while Malagueno is coming off an injury that saw him miss the final third of the Apertura 2009 Season.

Midfield: Edwin Santibanez (Right Midfielder), Tomas Campos (Center Midfielder), Juan Ramon Curbelo (Center Midfielder), and Emil Martinez (Left Midfielder)- Curbelo is placed in the starting lineup after surviving the foreign player cut, he will be out to prove that the front office made the right choice in choosing him to stay with the club. I expect to see a lot of attacking from the left midfield sector of the field from Honduras native Emil Martinez.

Forwards: Juan Carlos Dias Jr., Daniel "Maleno" Frias- Dias the new forward on the team looks to be a constant threat by creating a lot of offensive chances to score, while Frias seeks redemption on the sub par season he had last year.

Coming off the bench: I look for Alain Nkong to come off the bench on fire in the Indios second wave of attack. I wouldn't be surprised to Marco Vidal and/or Adrian Gacria Arias come in to aid the team on the defensive side of things especially if Indios have the lead in any point of the game.

Remember the game is at 4:00pm local time (Cable Channel 11, DirecTV and Digital Channel 48) and it will be televised. Radio Coverage will be on Radio Net 1490 AM starting at 1:45 pm. Until next time VAMOS Indios!!!

With less than 48 hours prior to the start of what will be called the Bi-Centennial Season (Due to Mexico's Bicentennial Anniversary all of 2010) the injury bug has struck CF Indios. Forward Hector Gimenez has a strained calf muscle and will miss the season opener versus Rayados in the great northern city of Monterrey Saturday at 4 pm. local time (The game will be televised on Cable Channel 11 and 99, DirectTV and Digital TV cable channel 48). Gimenez, affectionately know as "El Coco" was a consistent starter for the Tribe throughout the 2010 preseason, and was primed to start on Saturday. During today's final morning practice prior to departing this afternoon to Monterrey, Daniel "Maleno" Frias replaced Gimenez in what most feel will be the starting lineup come Saturday evening during today's inter-squad games.

The bad news does not end there. New acquisition for the Indios Emil Martinez official transfer paperwork has not been acquired by the club thus he can not play until it is in the club's possession. Martinez was looking to be a starter in the left midfield for the club. This is definitely not a good way to start the 2010 campaign for a team that will live 17 finals over the course of 4 months to see if they survive and avoid relegation. It is going to be interesting to see how Frias holds up playing the majority of the game. I have always found him more effective when he comes off the bench. He always comes in like if he has a chip on his shoulder and performs.

After today's morning practice both "Maleno" Frias and the heart and soul of this team Edwin Santibanez commented on what is about to take place in less than 2 days time. Both were in agreement, it is time to stop looking back at the nightmare that was last season because their careers as they know them are at stake.

Maleno commented, "I, like my teammates want to start the season off on the right foot, and we need to overcome this situation we are in, after all, our careers are on the line. We need to achieve all that was not achieved last season and to do that we only need to focus one game at a time starting with Monterrey. It will be the first of 17 finals. It will be a complicated game, starting off the season against the defending champion, but despite that we need to do our thing, play our game and try to win." On Gimenez' injury Frias said, " Unfortunately "Coco" got hurt and I'm the one lucky enough to be his back up, and I will try to do my part as I always do.".

Santibanez gave his toughts on facing the defending champion, Monterrey. "It's a new season were our future will be on the line and all will be on the table every game this season. What a way to measure yourself up, starting against the defending champion. We have to come out and win, and acquire three points because we obviously need them. We can no longer look back at the past, we have to start the season by acquiring 3 points. Playing like if its a fight to the death will be the way we have to play this season. This is the start of a new season, a new story, one we would like to write on our terms."

Yesterday Rayados won the Interliga tournament which gave them a spot in the Santander Copa Libertadores, which is the most prestigious club competition in the western hemisphere. With regards to that Santibanez commented, "…they have had a lot of good fortune recently (referencing to Rayados winning the Mexican Championship and now the Interliga in the span of a little more than 4 weeks) and it has to end sometime. It motivates us to play against team like that who is accomplishing important things in the soccer world. When we play them I'm sure they will be happy and motivated by their most recent accomplishment, but they will coming off of a victory that was nothing easy, tough and draining for them and we need to take advantage of that."

Not much more to add to that, I agree. Until next time. VAMOS Indios!!!

Below: A pensive Edwin Santibanez only looks forward to the 2010 season.

On Sunday I had the opportunity to have a chat with Gil Cantu who is the Vice-President of Sporting Affairs for CF Indios minutes before the beginning of the Indios final preseason game. Mostly we talked about the job that the Tribe's front office has done this offseason to acquire new players that will help the club in accomplishing its sole goal for the Clausura 2010 season, salvation. Gil Cantu was kind enough to give me a couple of minutes of his time to answer some of the questions I had for him.

JR: Gil, being the head of the Indios front office, talk to me about these past couple of months. How have been for you all???

GC: They have been full of pressure because its not easy to get new players. I wanna say that we are facing the "worst" season we have ever had. Why the worst? Because its gonna have a lot of pressure. Everyone knows we are in a position that is not easy, everyone know that we are fighting to stay in first division. We had to cut some players, and hire new players. So we cant make any mistakes in that department. Yet we are limited in our budget as to what level of players we can bring. The club needs to acquire the best players possible for a bargain. These players need to be warriors, who fight and know what they are about to face this season.

JR: Over the course of this offseason the fans and everyone interested in this team have been relying only on what the media can deliver, what news breaks, how the practices are going, and what new acquisitions have been made. Because of that most of the pressure and attention turns to the front office, as a result come the compliments and the criticisms. In your opinion Gil, what grade would you give the work that the Indios front office has done over the course of 2 months.

GC: Honestly, I would give an A-, maybe even an A+.

JR: Why???

GC: Because I have been with Indios for 4 years. I think we have been blessed. This team is humble, this team is not one of the biggest teams in Mexico's first division like Cruz Azul, America, Pumas, Chivas. We don't have the budget they do. However, year after year we do a good job. Since we were in Primera "A", we were making the playoffs, competing and winning finals. Last season was a disaster. So we've gone from the peak to the valley. All in all, with our budget, I think we have always done a good job.

JR: Final question, is Indios ready to shock the Mexican soccer world once again like it did last spring and put together a season that is going to be unforgettable for not just the fans in the Borderland but for people throughout Mexico especially those saying that Indios are the leading candidate to be demoted??? Can we see that kind of surprise???

GC: We are ready to shock the world as you say, simply because we have always been in this position, and been doing it for several years. Year after year everyone says we are going to have a bad season, not make the playoffs, much less win a championship. Nothing is impossible, Indios can be literally translate to "In God", and we will do our best and leave it up to him.

Mr. Cantu's words were not surprising, definitely nothing I had never heard before. But you know what? He's right. You cant negate anything he said. The Tribe has always shopped well for its limited budget. From what I have seen this preseason the newly acquired players fit this bill. I think the Indios will get a good return on their investment from these players. Until next time, VAMOS Indios!!!

In an afternoon that was full of activity at the Benito Juarez Olympic Stadium, which included the official presentation of the team for the Clausura 2010 season, the best that CF Indios could do was tie by a score of 1-1 against Atlante UTN. The Tribe dominated the first half of play and it paid dividends as the gol came in the 41st minute of play courtesy of Juan Ramon Curbelo. As some of you may recall Curbelo was the player that survived the cut regarding the foreign players that would be on the team. Today I think he validated the front office's decision to keep him on the squad not only by delivering the gol but by being one of the most consistent players for Indios throughout the game.

The thrill for the capacity crowd at "El Benito" was short lived as in the 16th minute of the second half Atlante scored. Once again the opposing team capitalized on a careless moment that the Indios defense experienced. The rest of the second half could be described as, well frankly, boring. The Tribe generated very little creative play that lead to few scoring threats. Indios Head Coach, Jose "Pepe" Trevino, made numerous substitutions. Which in my opinion ruined the team's continuity in the second half and they lost any rhythm that they had going for them.

When I asked Trevino about the numerous substitutions he made in the second half after he told me last week that he would only have 3 substitutions to imitate a regular season game he alluded to the fact that he wanted to see different players that had had very little play time because of injury or other circumstances. Trevino also said he wanted to see "more variation" with regards to the team's formation. Team captain for the Indios, Juan De La Barrera said after the game regarding the team's numerous substitution, "Most would think that the head coach would have a lineup set but the truth is that the level throughout the entire team is very even and every week the entire team will be fighting to be on the field of play, and right now is the time to try things and for him to make decisions."

With regards to the game, De La Barrera commented that, "In the second half we lowered our intensity, I believe that is something we need to think about and improve. And oh well, I'm left with the satisfaction of the good first half we had as we begin to focus on next week's game against Monterrey." In closing De La Barrera said that the squad needs to "…have higher expectations."

Well there you have it, the Indios end the preseason on a bit of sour note. 17 weeks from today we will know if the Indios avoid relegation and enjoy continued existence in Mexico's Premier Soccer Division. Stay tuned because its going to be exciting. For now I leave you with some images from today. Check back later this week for more images. Until next time, VAMOS Indios!!!

Defending midfielder for CF Indios Mario Alvarez was cut from the team on Thursday. With six foreign players on the team and only five players being allow to stay on the roster for the Clausura 2010 season Alvarez was the odd man out. This leaves the Tribe with newly acquired Carlos Dias and Emil Martinez, along with established players Javier Hernan Mallagueno, Alain Nkong, and Juan Ramon Curbelo. Most thought that race to see who stayed for the 2010 spring campaign was between Curbelo and Alvarez. I'm glad that the front office mad the right decision and elected to keep Curbelo. Adding insult to injury (no pund intended) Alvarez tweaked his ankle Thursday prior to being told the news that he would no longer be with the squad.

In other news, the Indios have their final preseason game on Sunday at 1:00pm at Benito Juarez Olympic Stadium but not against the team from Brazil that was originally scheduled, Gremio Maringa. Yesterday the Indios front office announced that the Brazilian's travel agency botched the flights and because of that the team would not be able to come into the Borderland. Instead the Indios will play Atlante UTN a mid to lower level team that competes in Mexico's Promotion League (formerly Primera "A"). I hope that this team can give their best and give the Indios a good game. The Tribe needs a good workout en route to the season opener next Saturday in Monterrey against Rayados.

In closing, I had the opportunity to go to an Indios practice a couple of weeks ago. One thing I noticed, former captain Edwin Santibanez was the first one to get to practice. In my opinion he is the true leader and franchise player of this team. A true class act. The Indios practice facilities/headquarters are second to none. The practice fields are immaculate. I took some pictures. Enjoy. Until next time, VAMOS Indios!!!

Indios Team Captain Juan De La Barrera

Indios Center Defender Javier Hernan Malagueno doing light workouts as he still recovers from his right broken arm.

Edwin Santibanez face the wrath of the media after the last game of the season back in November. That's me on the far left.